Background: Acute asthma episodes prompting consultation with general practitioners in the sentinel practices of the Weekly Returns Service (WRS) of the Royal College of General Practitioners increased through the 1980s and early 1990s, reaching a peak in 1993.
Aims and methods: To report on trends in the incidence of asthma episodes in children reported to the WRS over the period 1980-2002.
Results: Data confirm the steady upward trend from 1980 to 1993. The downward trend since 1993 was consistent in both male and female preschool and school age children, in all regions of the country simultaneously, and during all seasons until 1999 since when it has stabilised. No causative factor has been identified and no temporal association found between factors previously postulated as causing the increase in acute asthma. The decline in acute asthma episodes in children is consistent with observed declines in all other respiratory infections in this community.